Sorry this took me so long to update. Although I have technically have left Cameroon now, I figured I should give some final updates/thoughts for any remaining readers out there, haha.
Since my last post I was just working on ISP and took a weekend trip to Mount Cameroon. As for Mount Cameroon, that was quite the experience! I have never climbed a mountain before so I found it incredibly difficult. I guess I really didn't know what to expect! One of my friend's Cameroon guidebooks said anyone who is "moderately" in shape can do it, so we figured - hey no problem. However, this mountain was MASSIVE!!! We took a bus to Buea, which is the city the mountain is located in. We made plans with the Ecotourism office and stayed the night in their guest house and got all of our camping supplies, food, etc. ready. We took off early the next morning for the mountain. That was probably the most difficult day of my entire life... It was over six hours of complete straight up and difficult terrain. Definitely wasn't ready for that, haha. When we finally got to camp for the night, I was so exhausted. The next day was so difficult too. All in all though, I suppose it was a great experience and a ridiculous amount of exercise. It is the highest mountain in West Africa, 3,901 meters (12,798 feet).
Now for ISP. I worked really hard to finish it! I got a draft into my adviser before Mount Cameroon weekend. I met with him and picked it up the Monday morning I got back. That was helpful, so I made my edits and was able to get it printed, copied, and binded to turn it in on Tuesday. I even got a copy made for myself in yellow paper with black binding (taxi colors, haha). I am really proud of how the paper turned out! My presentation was last Wednesday. I think that went well too. My mom and brother came to watch, which I thought was really sweet. My host mom doesn't understand English, but she still basically said she wouldn't miss it for the world, which I thought was cute. It was really interesting hearing everyone else's presentations as well, since we were all off for about a month researching different things.
We had the end of the semester party for our families and people associated with SIT last Friday night. It was at a restaurant but we also had to plan activities - like songs, games, dances, and speeches. I ended up giving a speech in French on behalf of the American students. I basically thanked the families and gave a heart-to-heart about our experiences in Cameroon. I think the families really enjoy the party and the food was really good. We had a limbo competition and even sang Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. I'm not entirely sure how old we are...haha.
The last few days were just full of packing, saying goodbyes, finishing Christmas shopping, and spending time with families and friends. It was really anticlimactic when we were at the airport, I felt like. It was nice to finally be on a plane, as we waited for the moment for so long. It's hard to say how I really felt about the entire experience, because I feel like I need to be home for a bit before I can actually evaluate the experience and reflect back on it. When I try to choose a word for the experience, usually "trying" comes to mind. It was difficult, it wasn't always fun, I made some great friends, I was challenged, I was angry, I was homesick, I became more independent. I guess I was a whirlwind of emotions. Sometimes I was so angry I wanted to scream, but other times I was so touched I could cry. It was a very strange and confusing three and a half months of my life. I did have a wonderful family who loved me and I will always care about, and I also met nine amazing fellow Americans who are the only ones who can totally understand this experience because they also embarked on it. I am worried that I became a bit detached and more cynical at times. Some of this sparks from a feeling of independence, and not being so naive. But there were parts about the culture that I absolutely hated and will never understand. I guess the worst part is that I went into the experience with not a lot of expectations, but I was definitely motivated and willing to want to learn and hopefully make a change. However, I seemed to find that for the most part, people are so willing to accept things for the way they are. They don't seem apt to make things better for themselves - to work towards something brighter and newer. The hardest part is that in Cameroon, corruption is evident on every level of society and in every instance. It seems so hopeless, because it's a mentality that's existent and so constant. People seem to have the attitude, "well what can I do?" And I didn't want to think that they were correct. But maybe they are. And if they are, for the most part, relatively happy, then why work for change? I guess these are the thoughts that plague my mind as I end my experience in Cameroon. I am curious to see how my views will pan out as I return home and give it some time.
Right now I am in England visiting my friend Gemma. I will say I was happy to take a hot shower and eat some nice and different foods. I've been doing some shopping and trying to adjust to the cold and snowy weather conditions. It was weird being in a Westernized country, and almost having to figure out how things work again. It is difficult to because it's also not identical to the US culture, although it's similar in many ways. I think I am really tired, and just am trying to enjoy the time and spend it with my friend. I will say I am glad to be going back to the US in just a few days for Christmas. I can't wait to see my parents and brother.
So I believe this is the end of my Cameroon blog. I hope it is true what they say - "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."
Au revoir,
Brittany
